Minnesota Twins: Phil Hughes braces for Yankee Stadium boos

Minnesota pitcher Phil Hughes delivers a pitch to Texas in the first inning of Tuesday's game at Target Field, in Minneapolis, May 27, 2014. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

NEW YORK -- After going 4-14 in his final season with the New York Yankees, Phil Hughes has an idea what kind of reception he will receive Sunday in his return.

"Probably not very good," the Twins right-hander said Friday. "That's the way it is. They're tough. That's what makes playing here so great. They have the best fans in the world. They're passionate. They love this team and love this city.

"I probably won't get a great reaction, but I kind of expect that, and that's the way it's going to be."

Hughes was drafted by the Yankees a decade ago, but he never received an offer to stay once he reached free agency.

"I think both parties just kind of felt it was the right thing to cut the cord, I guess, at that point," Hughes said.

That doesn't mean Hughes bears any enmity toward his former employer or the fans who booed him off the mound more than once.

"I have a lot of great feelings toward this city, toward this team and the fans," Hughes said. "It's tough when you leave somewhere on such a negative note. That's kind of how you're going to be remembered, which is unfortunate. I feel very fondly about my time here. I don't have any poor feelings toward anybody. It's just kind of the way things go."

Hughes, who has a career 4.82 earned run average and 28-21 record in 85 games at new Yankee Stadium, admits it will be a "little weird" to face his old teammates, especially the retiring Derek Jeter.

Hughes faced Jeter once before in spring exhibition against Team USA heading into the World Baseball Classic. This was believed to be in 2009, as Hughes missed the bulk of spring training last year.

"I was strictly told to throw fastballs away because we didn't want to hit him," Hughes recalled. "I don't think I have to do that this time."